Poll shows we don’t want taxpayer-financed campaigns in Seattle

Seattle’s voters have been willing to tax themselves for many causes, but appear ready to turn thumbs-down on raising property taxes to pay for Seattle City Council campaigns.

According to the new SurveyUSA/King-5 News poll, only 15 percent of Seattle voters support Proposition 1 on the November ballot, which would allow council incumbents and challengers to collect as much as $180,000 in taxpayer money to fuel their election races.

The poll found 43 percent opposed, with 42 percent of voters not having made up their mind. Taxpayer funding was backed by 23 percent of men surveyed, just 7 percent of women, and had barely 10 percent support among seniors — usually Seattle’s most reliable voters.

The Seattle City Council enthusiastically voted for the six-year, $12 million scheme. Under its provisions, a council candidate would be eligible for taxpayer financing if he/she is able to raise at least $10 from 600 Seattle voters and agrees to attend three public forums. A candidate raising $30,000 would get $180,000 to run a campaign.

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce decided in late summer to oppose Proposition 1. “The program puts the entire financial burden on property owners despite the program’s ostensible benefit to the entire city,” the chamber said.

Instead of leveling the playing field of campaign — its stated intent — critics have charged that Proposition 1 is a secret boon to incumbents. Incumbents can use their contributor lists to easily qualify for taxpayer financing. The ability to get as much as $180,000, without endless “dialing for dollars,” might encourage council “lifers” to seek reelection when they would otherwise be discouraged by the rigors of fund-raising.

Seattle voters will face a second proposition, Charter Amendment 19, next month. They will be asked to vote for a switch in which seven of nine Seattle City Council members would be elected by district. The two remaining seats would be filled at-large by a citywide vote, which is the current method.

Supporters say campaigning would be made easier and cheaper in a district with 80,000 citizens than in a city of almost 600,000 residents. As well, with a smaller electoral base, Seattle City Council members would be encouraged to improve on their notoriously sub-par constituent service.